V for Vendetta

Baker & TaylorIn a near-future Britain ruled by a totalitarian regime, Evey is rescued from certain death by a masked vigilante calling himself "V," a beguiling and charismatic figure who launches a one-man crusade against government tyranny and oppression.

Comment

V for Vendetta is another great work of art by Alan Moore. Set in a dystopian, totalitarian England in 1997, the controlling government has been corrupted by power, greed, and fascism. The main character, a mentally questionable "terrorist" named V, is a dark and intriguing look into his view of the tyranny of England. His companion, terrified and uncertain Evey, is a perfect compliment to make the pair. Looking at issues of freedom, how far one can go to take that freedom, and how far one can go to reclaim that freedom are all explored in this graphic novel. Highly recommended.

I read the graphic novel after seeing the movie, and I was expecting that I would mostly be reading the same story. However, the movie changed a few things. The graphic novel has a more intricate plot, with more major subplots. The final act of the story plays out differently, as well. My main complaint with the book is that there are too many characters working for the government that are involved in the story somehow, and they get mixed up. Also, When V blows something up, outlines of the building arn't always clearly shown before the explosion, I usually hate changes that movies make, so this might be because i saw the movie first, but I thought the movie's climax was a bit better. However, I enjoyed the book. The artwork is very good, and the dark look fits the story. If you watched the movie or enjoy dystopian fiction, I would recommend that you read this book.

I've picked it up because of the Mask on the front cover. A mask that we see often in street contestations. Other wise, I didn't find the book (Comic strips) that alluring. They could have done more with the character. The story is often muddled and you get lost between scenes. Also the illustrations are blurbed from one frame to the next. Characters are not always kept identical. Sometime rage changes their faces. So this is not the best strips i've read.

I had placed a hold on it in the library, then decided that it would most likely to be worth it to purchase it (with a giftcard I had lying around), and it was. Took me a couple of days to read it, but mostly because I was reading a bit at a time, like savouring a good dessert. I liked it as much as the movie, and I'm glad it was more complex and different from the movie (because there's little desire in reading a book that's the exact same as the movie (or visa versa). There is some (ok, a lot for one book in my opinion) nudity and violence, though, so I suggest mature readers only.

I have been wanting to read this book ever since I saw the movie. I finally got around to reading it. I liked it for the most part, but in my opinion it did not have the gravity that the movie possessed. Several of the plot lines were confusing, and in the end I was not completely sure of their purpose. I missed how Evey Hammond was a much more dynamic character in the movie than in the graphic novel.

It was interesting in the making of the movie segment for V for Vendetta that it said the book was a reaction to Thatcherism in England, which I would be interested in learning more about why that is the case. I felt the movie did a better job of including universal themes than what was in the book (possibly because the graphic novel was a response to a different time). However, there is something to be said for the idea itself of V for Vendetta. Alan Moore is a very original and talented storyteller to have created such an intriguing concept.

The classic V for Vendetta, found atop many 'best of' graphic novel lists, is a dark, muddled work of raw energy. Its genius cuts through like a lighthouse—often a confusing fog and then, there it is, brilliance.

Given all the praise heaped on V for Vendetta, I was not impressed at first. I had to let the story age in my mind a while before I started to respect it, and this goes as much for its art as well as the message. Referencing Moore's other great work, I'm still partial to Watchmen over V, but just by a little. Both illustrate a dark side of humanity that I dare to hope is a product of its time. The optimist in me wants to believe that our world outlook has improved since then.

“Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition! The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. [laughs] Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honor to meet you and you may call me "V”

And it’s no good blaming the drop of standards on the Management, either… Though, to be sure, the management is very bad. In fact, let us not mince words… The management is terrible! We’ve had a string of embezzlers, frauds liars and lunatics making a string of catastrophic decisions. This is a plain fact. But who elected them? It was you! You who appointed these people! You who gave them the power to make your decisions for you! While I can admit that anyone can make a mistake once, to go on making the same lethal errors century seems to me nothing short of deliberate. You have encouraged these malicious incompetents, who have made your working life a shambles You have accepted without question their senseless orders. You have allowed them to fill your workspace with dangerous and unproven machines You could have stopped them All you had say was “NO.” You have no spine. You have no pride. You are no longer an asset to the company.

Also, please don’t think I’ve forgotten about your outstanding service record, or about all of the invaluable contributions that you’ve made to the company… fire, the wheel, agriculture… It’s an impressive list, old-timer. A jolly impressive list. Don’t get me wrong. But… well, to be frank, we’ve had our problems, too. There’s no getting away from it. Do you know what I think a lot of it stems from? I’ll tell you… It’s your basic unwillingness to get on within the company. You don’t seem to want to face up to any real responsibility or to be your own boss. Lord knows you’ve been given plenty opportunities… We’ve offered you promotion time and time again, and each time you’ve turned us down. “I couldn’t handle the work Gov’nor’ you wheedled. “I know my place.” To be frank, your not trying are you?

Summary

"Good evening, London." It's nine o'clock and this is The Voice of Fate... It is the Fifth of the Eleventh, Nineteen-Ninety-Seven...

"The people of London are advised that the Brixton and Streatham areas are quarantine zones as of today. It is suggested that these areas be avoided for reasons of health and safety...

Police raided seventeen homes in the Birmingham area early this morning, uncovering what is believed to be a major terrorist ring. Twenty people, either of them women, are currently in detention awaiting trial...

The weather will be fine until 12:07 A.M. when a shower will commence, lasting until 1:30 A.M...

Have a pleasant evening."

A frightening and powerful tale of the loss of freedom and identity in a chillingly believable totalitarian world, V for Vendetta stands as one of the highest achievements of the comics medium and a defining work for creators Alan Moore and David Lloyd.

Set in an imagined future England that has given itself over to fascism, this groundbreaking story captures both the suffocating nature of life in an authoritarian police state and the redemptive power of the human spirit which rebels against it. Crafted with sterling clarity and intelligence, V for Vendetta brings an unequaled depth of characterization and verisimilitude to its unflinching account of oppression and resistance.